According to school officials, the Pearland High band students were outside around 8 a.m. Thursday when the Brazoria County Mosquito Control District airplane flew over the school and sprayed the practice lot with pesticide.

"It was pretty much right over us," band member Karleigh Fletcher said. "I was just surprised, if it was really pesticide, why would they be doing it over 300 kids?"

There were no serious injuries, but some students reported coughing, sneezing and rashes.

The school called emergency medical services and sent the students home. Students were told to shower for 25 minutes, change clothes and wash all instruments.

"It was a freak accident," Principal Larry Berger said. "They didn't know we were here and we didn't know they were coming."

Mosquito control district officials said the pilot did not see the students.

The substance sprayed from the plane was a "low level" pesticide and isn't harmful if washed off, district officials said.